Syngenta Field Report

The Syngenta Field Report features information and experts from Syngenta sharing observations about issues growers are dealing with in the fields.

All You Need is Love … or is it?

Feb 14, 2013

The sound of birds chirping can only mean one thing: spring is approaching. This season is often referred to as the season of love, and soybean aphids are no stranger to its universal language.

In fact, soybean aphids are so fluent that they’ve fallen for the soybean plant, bringing with them the threat of countless offspring. According to the Iowa State University Extension, a single soybean aphid may spawn 15 to 18 generations within one year. Considering the nature of this one-sided relationship, the soybean plant does not shower aphids with chocolates. But the pesky insect is not discouraged. Instead, the soybean plant becomes the satisfying source to the aphids’ relentless appetite. Aphids feed on the stems and undersides of soybean leaves, and have the potential to significantly diminish yields if aphid populations reach economic threshold levels.

Threshold levels may be determined by scouting fields. For the 2013 growing season, scouting for insect pests is especially important. According to the Penn State University Extension, trends point to higher populations of soybean aphids during odd-numbered years.

Fortunately for growers, the soybean aphid’s love for the soybean does not conquer all. Syngenta offers CruiserMaxx® Beans insecticide/fungicide, a combination of separately registered products, applied with Vibrance™ fungicide seed treatment for 2013. As a market-leading seed treatment, CruiserMaxx Beans applied with Vibrance provides superior protection against early-season soybean aphids, so soybeans can start strong. If higher populations occur later in the season, Syngenta offers Endigo® ZC insecticide. Although we don’t like to stand in the way of love, higher yields are the top priority.

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